Joelinton deadlock
Brazilian may have played his last Newcastle game due to injury and contract stand-off
NEWCASTLE midfielder Joelinton could have played his last game for the club amid a contract stand-off that would almost certainly see him leave if there is no resolution before summer.
Mail Sport understands the Brazilian will have surgery next week on the thigh injury he picked up during the FA Cup win at Sunderland this month, and that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
However, his contract has only 18 months to run — he signed a six-year deal after arriving from Hoffenheim for £40million in 2019 — and his wage demands are beyond what the club are willing to pay. They would make him Newcastle’s highest earner.
Eddie Howe is determined to keep the 27-year-old, but if no compromise is agreed, the Magpies will be forced to sell him in the next transfer window, rather than risk him leaving for nothing at the end of next season. As it stands, the two parties remain far apart on numbers.
There is a chance Joelinton’s injury could sway his thinking and he will agree to Newcastle’s offer, which is said to be fair, but those talks are yet to be had.
Howe, who has transformed Joelinton into a Brazil international, rates him as one of his most influential players and his loss this season has led to Newcastle drawing up a shortlist of midfield replacements.
That includes Bournemouth’s Philip Billing, who Howe signed for the Cherries for £15million from Huddersfield in 2019. The Denmark midfielder, 27, scored seven times last season and is having another fine campaign.
However, Mail Sport understand the chances of Kalvin Phillips ending up at St James’ Park this month are remote. There are reservations over the 28-year-old’s lack of game time in recent seasons and Manchester City’s demands — a loan fee north of £7m — are beyond what Newcastle are willing to pay.
Because of FFP accounting periods, they would prefer a deal where no loan fee was involved but there was a view to a permanent transfer in the summer. Sources say the interest in Phillips remains but that other options are being explored.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, 21, was watched against Chelsea last week and has admirers, although he is likely to remain at the Championship club until summer. Chief scout Steve Nickson also flew to Italy to watch Atalanta midfielder Ederson this week. However, the Serie A club are asking for £40-50m for the Brazilian and that is likely to be out of Newcastle’s reach this window.
In the meantime, Joe White will get a chance to shine after returning from his loan at Crewe. The 21-year-old midfielder is cup-tied for the FA Cup trip to Fulham next weekend but will be involved when Newcastle return to Premier League action at Aston Villa on January 30. Coaching staff are hoping to see a development from when he was last around the senior set-up in the summer.